ANNEX TO DESPATCH
CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL
DRAFT TERRITORIAL SURVEY
DSR 11C
Territory:
Population:
Special Factors: Propects for
independence:
Possible alterna-
tives to
independence:
Recommended
Policy:
British Virgin Islands 10,500
None
Should become financially independent when budgetary aid is ended in 1979. At present the local preference is to remain dependent, mainly because of a lack of political
self-confidence, and absence of a political
leader of sufficient stature to take the
country to independence. Otherwise no special economic or political obstacle to eventual independence.
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ii.
Union with the US Virgin Islands
unlikely either to be acceptable to
the population or constitutionally feasible;
union with other Caribbean territories
- not acceptable to the population.
Accept dependence for the present, but seek
in all ways to create the will and objective conditions for independence. Ways of achieving this might include making it clear through firm government that continued dependence implies accepting certain unpop- ular conditions. It is possible that an
attractive aid package at the right moment might also help to create the necessary will for independence.
CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL
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